Melksham twinning art goes on show

10:00am Friday 9th May 2014

By Adam Care

People in Avon, France, have a new way to remember their twin town after a Melksham student’s artwork was presented to their mayor.

Seventeen-year-old Melksham Oak student Cara Wallace won an art contest run by the Melksham and District Twinning Association and will have her pencil sketch displayed in Avon which is on the banks of the River Seine.

She said: “I found out I’d won on April 23 at a meeting in the town hall.

“I had no idea I’d won, even when they announced second prize and I hadn’t been called I didn’t think it was me, as I never normally win things.”

The A-level art student spent four hours working on her piece, after taking photographs of all her chosen locations.

She said: “I just thought ‘what do I think of when I think of Melksham, and it’s all the iconic buildings – so I thought I would sketch out a few, like Avon and the Spa buildings.

“I do a lot of sketching and drawing in my free time. I want to go on to university and do illustration, as that’s something that quite interests me.

“It’s pretty cool to have some of my work displayed somewhere, but to have it up in France representing the town is very special.”

Assistant headteacher at Melsham Oak, Aidan Blowers said: “The idea was that Melksham Oak students would create a picture that crystallised the essence of Melksham.

“It was offered to all years and we received some truly stunning work.

“Credit must go to the students for their efforts at one of the busiest times of the year.”

All the best pieces as selected by the Twinning Association will be displayed in the Art House Cafe in the Market Place.